Last Updated 08/20/2026
CODE OF ORDIANACES OF THE CITY OF WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
ARTICLE III. – STORMWATER UTILITY AND ILLICIT DISCHARGES
Sec. 12-12. – Stormwater Utility
A stormwater utility is hereby established to provide stormwater management services, as authorized by state law. Stormwater service charges will be determined and modified from time to time so that the total revenues generated by said charges will be used to pay the principal of and interest on the debt incurred for stormwater purposes and such expenses as are reasonably necessary or convenient, in the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of the stormwater system.
Sec. 12-13. – Service charges, rates and fee schedule.
(a) Stormwater service charges shall accrue beginning on July 1, 1998. Stormwater service charges shall apply to all property within the city limits that is served by the city’s stormwater system without regard to ownership, except as set forth in section 12-14. Such charges shall be based on the amount of impervious surface on each parcel as determined by the equivalent residential unit standard. For purposes of this article, an “equivalent residential unit (ERU)” is two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet of impervious surface.
(b) The city council shall set a base rate for single-family residential uses and charges for non-single-family residential uses shall be calculated utilizing the equivalent residential unit. For purposes of this article, a “non-single-family residential use” shall be any land use other than single-family residential, except for undeveloped land.
Sec. 12-14. – Exemptions and credits.
(a) Only undeveloped land shall be exempt from stormwater service fees. All other parcels including public road rights-of-way maintained by the City of Wilmington shall not be exempt from stormwater service charges.
(b) Properties subject to stormwater service fees may be granted credits against the fees in accordance with a credit policy manual developed by the city manager and referenced in the City of Wilmington Fee Schedule. Any non-single-family residential use that provides measures to mitigate the impacts of runoff on the stormwater system shall be eligible for a maximum credit of forty (40) percent of the service fee. The amount of the credit shall be proportional to the extent the measures address the impacts on peak discharge, total runoff volume and water quality as compared to applicable city, state and federal standards. Water quantity and water quality measures shall each be eligible for a twenty (20) percent maximum credit. Any credit allowance shall be conditional on continuing compliance with applicable standards, including requirements for operation and maintenance. Subject to approval in accordance with the credit policy, any credits shall be effective on the date of application therefore.
ARTICLE 14- PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
Sec. 18-782. – Operation and maintenance agreement.
a) General. Prior to the conveyance or transfer of any lot or building site to be served by a structural BMP pursuant to this ordinance, and prior to issuance of any permit for development or redevelopment requiring a structural BMP pursuant to this ordinance, the applicant or owner of the site must execute an operation and maintenance agreement that shall be binding on all subsequent owners of the site, portions of the site, and lots or parcels served by the structural BMP. Until the transference of all property, sites, or lots served by the structural BMP, the original owner or applicant shall have primary responsibility for carrying out the provisions of the maintenance agreements.
The operation and maintenance agreement shall require the owner or owners to maintain, repair and, if necessary, reconstruct the structural BMP, and shall state the terms, conditions, and schedule of maintenance for the structural BMP. In addition, it shall grant to the city a right of entry in the event that the city manager, or his designee, has reason to believe it has become necessary to inspect, monitor, maintain, repair, or reconstruct the structural BMP; however, in no case shall the right of entry, of itself, confer an obligation on the city to assume responsibility for the structural BMP.
The operation and maintenance agreement must be approved by the city prior to plan approval, and it shall be referenced on the final plat and shall be recorded with the county register of deeds upon final plat approval. A copy of the recorded maintenance agreement shall be given to the city manager within fourteen (14) days following its recordation.
Conveyance of the property shall not terminate the original developer’s obligations under this article until such time as a replacement permit is approved by the city manager. The original developer shall include in the deed conveying the property notice of the existence of the stormwater control measures and the purchaser’s obligations to maintain and inspect them and to obtain a permit and otherwise comply with the terms of this article.
(b) Special requirement for homeowner and other associations. For all structural BMPs required pursuant to this ordinance and that are to be or are owned and maintained by a homeowner association, property owner association, or similar entity, the required operation and maintenance agreement shall include all of the following provisions:
(1) Acknowledgment that the association shall continuously operate and maintain the stormwater control and management facilities.
(2) Granting to the city a right of entry to inspect, monitor, maintain, repair, and reconstruct structural BMPs.
(3) Allowing the city to recover from the association and its members any and all costs the city expends to maintain or repair the structural BMPs or to correct any operational deficiencies. Failure to pay the city all of its expended costs, after forty-five (45) days’ written notice, shall constitute a breach of the agreement. In case of a deficiency, the city shall thereafter be entitled to bring an action against the association and its members to pay, or foreclose upon the lien hereby authorized by the agreement against the property, or both. Interest, collection costs, and attorney fees shall be added to the recovery.
(4) A statement that this agreement shall not obligate the city to maintain or repair any structural BMPs, and the city shall not be liable to any person for the condition or operation of structural BMPs.
(5) A statement that this agreement shall not in any way diminish, limit, or restrict the right of the city to enforce any of its ordinances as authorized by law.
(6) A provision indemnifying and holding harmless the city for any costs and injuries arising from or related to the structural BMP, unless the city has agreed in writing to assume the maintenance responsibility for the BMP and has accepted dedication of any and all rights necessary to carry out that maintenance.
Sec. 18-783. Inspection Program
Inspections and inspection programs by the city may be conducted or established on any reasonable basis, including but not limited to routine inspections; random inspections; inspections based upon complaints or other notice of possible violations; and joint inspections with other agencies inspecting under environmental, zoning, or safety laws. Inspections may include, but are not limited to, reviewing maintenance and repair records; sampling discharges, surface water, groundwater, and material or water in BMPs; and evaluating the condition of BMPs.
If the owner or occupant of any property refuses to permit such inspection, the city shall proceed to obtain an administrative search warrant pursuant to G.S. 15-27.2 or its successor. No person shall obstruct, hamper, or interfere with the city personnel while carrying out his or her official duties.
Sec. 18-785. – Records of installation and maintenance activities.
The owner of each structural BMP shall keep records of inspections, maintenance, and repairs for at least five (5) years from the date of creation of the record and shall submit the same upon reasonable request to the city manager.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is post-construction stormwater management, and does it apply to my property in Wilmington?
Post-construction stormwater management covers the ongoing responsibility to maintain all on-site stormwater control facilities and open space areas per your property’s stormwater ordinance. If your property in Wilmington or New Hanover County has a structural BMP installed under an approved plan, that maintenance obligation continues for as long as the property exists, not just through the construction phase. AQUALIS provides full post-construction stormwater management for property owners across Wilmington and New Hanover County, so BMPs stay compliant well after a project is finished.
What is an operation and maintenance agreement, and does it stay with my Wilmington property?
Before a property is conveyed or a development permit is issued in Wilmington, the owner must execute an operation and maintenance agreement that is binding on all subsequent property owners and must be recorded with the New Hanover County register of deeds. This means the maintenance obligation transfers automatically to a new owner when the property is sold, regardless of who was involved in the original construction. AQUALIS reviews existing operation and maintenance agreements for Wilmington property owners and manages the maintenance activity they require.
How long do I need to keep stormwater maintenance records for my Wilmington property?
Wilmington requires property owners to retain records of inspections, maintenance, and repairs for at least five years, giving the city a documented history to review if a compliance question ever arises. Falling behind on this recordkeeping can make it difficult to demonstrate compliance during a review. AQUALIS maintains complete, up to date maintenance records for every property it services in Wilmington and New Hanover County, so documentation is always ready when requested.
What happens if my stormwater BMP in Wilmington is not maintained?
If a property owner in Wilmington fails to maintain a required stormwater facility, the city can perform the necessary maintenance itself and recover the full cost from the owner, including interest, collection costs, and attorney fees. This makes neglecting maintenance considerably more expensive than staying current on it. AQUALIS provides maintenance and non-compliance resolution for Wilmington and New Hanover County property owners, addressing issues before the city has to step in.
Where can property owners in Wilmington or New Hanover County get help with post-construction stormwater compliance?
Post-construction stormwater compliance in Wilmington involves a recorded operation and maintenance agreement, five-year recordkeeping, unannounced inspections, and a fee structure tied to impervious surface with potential credits for mitigation. Managing all of this without dedicated stormwater staff is difficult for most property owners. AQUALIS offers complete post-construction stormwater management for Wilmington and New Hanover County property owners, covering maintenance, recordkeeping, and non-compliance resolution, so owners can meet the city’s requirements without managing the process themselves.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
